All posts tagged: Lifestyle

“People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person, or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” ~ Plato

The quest for lasting happiness and good health is as old as time. Countless books have been written and various studies have been done to discover how we can experience genuine bliss and satisfaction. Likewise, people are in constant search for ways to strengthen their physical body and improve overall health.

Our obsession for attaining ultimate joy led to many theories and recommendations that make leading a happy and healthy lifestyle appear to be a complicated process. The result of a certain research study immensely simplifies it. This 2014 study published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS One), suggests that the key to a rewarding lifestyle is as easy as surrounding yourself with friends that have a pleasant disposition in life. Apparently, good habits and positive emotions are contagious, so to be healthier and happier, the people you regularly spend time with are an important factor. The positive influence of your association with good people may even matter more than any medication or treatment available. So go ahead and be choosy in selecting people to hang out with. The following reminders can help ensure that you are in good company:

Radiate positivity yourself

Good-natured people will easily come into your life if you start by being the person you want to meet. So drop the pessimism and train yourself to always see the good side of everything.

Avoid or let go of toxic people

People who constantly threaten your safety and crush your spirit are like weeds in the garden. You cannot fully bloom if you do not pull them out of your life. This process may be painful or difficult since people who always put you down can be dear friends or family members. However, keeping up with their negative behaviors will not help them either. You may even do them a favor by keeping a distance because they might realize their destructive attitude and change for the better.

Elevate your standards

You can fully control the people who enter your life by setting standards about the kind of friends you want. It may be a wise idea to mingle with the folks who share your virtues and passions. Another good option is to make friends with people whom you admire. When you spend time with them, you are likely to pick up their useful habits and imitate their impressive personality. Being picky with friends does not make you a snub. In a way, it is being aware of your self-worth and the kind of people you deserve.

Aim for deep & lasting friendships

In this era of social media, some people tend to perceive friendship as something as easy as clicking a button. But if you make friends this way, folks can go in and out of your life in a flash that you deprive yourself the benefits of forming lasting connections. This is crucial in life satisfaction because a research conducted by Wayne State University revealed the link between happiness and close friendships. So instead of shallow acquaintances, nurture relationships by exerting efforts to keep true friends once you found them. Rather than being concerned with the number of friends in your circle, aim for deep friendships even with just a few people.

The above points suggest that positive relationships hold the key to maintaining good health and increasing happiness. So, if you want to enrich your lifestyle, it may be time to examine the company you keep.

Trevor and Lexi BakerWant A Happier & Healthier Lifestyle? Time To Examine The Company You Keep

We all go through this life with a dream to pursue or a goal to meet. Our need for achievement fuels us to take risks and make our lives more meaningful. Yet, it is safe to say that all of us carry some sort of fear, anxiety, or worry. These fears are like roadblocks that can hindrance our paths to success. These obstacles can slow you down, inflict self-doubt, and even worse, ultimately convince you to ditch your objectives. Still, you should realize that these roadblocks exist for a reason and that is our job to eliminate it. After all, the ability to overcome fear is what sets successful people apart from the unsuccessful ones.

Here are five simple tips to combat your fears and crush your worries:

Identify Your Fears

“To win in every battle, know yourself and know the enemy,” this pretty much sums up a quote from a Chinese philosopher, Sun Tzu in the book, The Art of War. The first step in managing your fear is by acknowledging it. Identify things that scare you and the possible reasons for it. It can be a fear of rejection, of public speaking, or even heights. Acknowledging your fears will help you understand yourself better and will make it easier for you to come up with ways on how to deal with it. The idea is that once you are aware of your fears, you can now take steps towards eliminating the bumps on your road to success.

Visualize and Meditate

Take advantage of the power of the mind to help you manifest your goals in life. You can start by allotting a few minutes of your day in silence and meditation. As you meditate, visualize yourself conquering your fears and enjoying success. The practice of meditation can clear your mind and lessen your anxiety, thus increasing your confidence to deal with your fears.

Create a Personal Mantra

They say that we should guard our thoughts because thoughts become words and words turn into actions. So, make sure that your inner voice will give the inspiration and encouragement you need to face your fears. Go ahead and develop a mantra that will remind you of your abilities and your goals. A mantra that will shun all sorts of fears aside. Give yourself a daily dose of positive affirmations and watch how it transforms your life for the better. You can write down your personal mantra in a journal or place it somewhere you can always see.

Face Your Fears

These fears are like stones that appear to get bigger the longer you stare at it. The moment you decide to pick up the stone, you realize it is not as heavy or as big as it seems. The same concept applies to how we deal with fear. You can start by doing something that allows you to confront your fears. For instance, if you are afraid of public speaking, you can share your thoughts in a small meeting. If you are afraid of rejection, you can start submitting proposals. It is great if your proposal gets approved but If you get rejected, you just realize it is not nearly as crushing as you imagined it to be. Most of the times, failure only means another chance to try again. Facing your fears on a regular basis will gradually lessen its impact on your life and in no time, you will realize, it ceased to affect you at all.

Choose Your Friends

If you are constantly stressed or anxious, it may be because you are surrounded by people who bring you down. Dealing with your fear is already a huge feat on your own, so having friends to support you along the way is a must. The people we interact daily affects us in more ways than we realize so spend time with those who will motivate you to be the best you can be.

The road to overcoming fears may seem intimidating at first, but every effort you make towards erasing your anxieties count. A small step will go a long way and in no time, you will see that you have successfully gotten over it.

The goal to turn your life around is a very large task. There’s no question about it. But sometimes it’s just what you need. And a true life transformation is achieved in baby steps. It’s important to choose your baby steps strategically if you truly want to experience a complete life transformation to become your best self. And this one small change has the power to propel a serious shift in the way you live your life. But what is this tiny change that makes a monstrous difference in your everyday life?

Well, it’s called a “domino action.” Make an effort to pick one thing you complete each morning that will launch your day into motion with purpose and productivity. It can be as simple as making your bed, going for a run, and making a protein-packed breakfast. Or maybe you take five minutes each morning to write down three tasks you want to accomplish that day, or you wake up every morning and cross five things off your to-do list before you do anything else.

Whatever your chosen “domino action” may be, make sure you stay disciplined, focused, and completely devote yourself to completing this task every morning. In doing so, you establish a beginning to your daily routine that increases your energy, sets your focus for the day, and strengthens your productivity.

The trick to completing these “domino actions” immediately when you wake up in the morning is that it gives you a sense of an early morning win, which makes it easier to continue this trend throughout the rest of the day. And the next thing you know, you will be recording small wins from the moment you get out of bed to the moment you get back under the covers. If you truly commit yourself to this practice, suddenly your whole day looks entirely different, which means eventually your life will be too. Your life will be filled with small daily wins, and when you add them together, they create large, significant achievements.

Not every day goes as planned. In fact, each day arguably comes with its own setbacks and surprises. But just because there might be a kink in your day, doesn’t mean it still can’t be a good one. In the spirit of recognizing the extraordinary within your everyday life, become aware and make the most of your circumstances. You don’t need to treat yourself to a new gadget or buy yourself a steak dinner for your day to be considered a good one. After a while of practicing intentional positivity, living an optimistic life will no longer be a choice – optimism will become your lifestyle. Just make intentional choices throughout your day that brightens your perspective and promotes a positive mindset. Here is how to make sure every day is a good one.

Switch up the ambiance

Consider lighting a candle with a refreshing scent while you work or fold laundry. Make a playlist of new and upbeat songs to accompany you while you carry out your everyday responsibilities, if you’re a good multitasker, or during small breaks, if you’re not. Move your work area near a window if possible – natural light guarantees a fresh perspective and lifted spirits. Whatever it is, change one thing about your everyday atmosphere. You will be feeling refreshed in no time.

Stop justifying

Stop justifying what you eat, how you spend your free time or your taste in music. Whatever makes you feel the happiest and whatever makes you feel the most you is perfectly acceptable. Break the habit of trying to explain your choices and your lifestyle to yourself and to others. If you free yourself from this mindset, your days will certainly be filled with more positive thoughts.

Smile

Smile more – even if you don’t feel like it. The familiar feeling of a smile sends a message of positivity to your brain even if you’re not actually happy about anything in particular. Your smile also radiates this positivity so others experience it as well. So don’t ever go through a day without smiling, and don’t ever doubt the power of your smile. The optimism that comes with it is startling.

Accept compliments and give compliments to others

Accepting compliments isn’t always easy. In some cases, accepting compliments has become a completely lost art. However, being able to politely acknowledge a compliment can undoubtedly boost your mood and your confidence. Instead of making an excuse as to why you’re so good at what you do, reply with a simple and a self-aware “thank you.” Likewise, give these compliments to others. It’s the art of giving that makes you feel a little happier too.

You don’t have to hop on your own private jet to have a memorable adventure that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come. You don’t have to spend a boatload of cash to fill up a camera with stunning pictures. All you need to have an adventure is a backyard and friends and family who are willing to come along with you.

The best things in life are free. Take advantage of the discount. Here is how to have an adventure in your own backyard!

Host a Backyard Movie Night Under the Stars

In order to host a backyard movie night under the stars, you don’t have to pull out all the stops. You don’t need a top-of-the-line projector or a professional-grade screen (though, admittedly, those things wouldn’t hurt!). All you need is a sheet, a projector, an old classic movie, and a sense of camaraderie with the people you’re watching with.

Few things are better than cuddling up with your loved ones under the stars and enjoying a favorite film while munching on homemade popcorn. Who wants to pay for overpriced movie theater popcorn anyway?

Plan an Elaborate Dinner Party in Your Backyard

There’s just something so magical about gathering around a bountiful feast with family and friends. Breaking bread with those you hold dearest is one of life’s most fantastic adventures—and it’s so simple and accessible.

To have an elaborate, adventurous dinner party in your backyard, take the traditional trappings of any other dinner party you’ve hosted and move it all outside. Invite everyone you know to join in on the fun. Before you know it, you’ll be transported to another time and place—beyond the cares of this world.

Build a Temporary Backyard Fort Using Found Objects

The adults aren’t the only ones that get to have backyard adventures! Let the kids have some of the fun by letting them build temporary forts using objects they find around the yard or in the shed.

You’ll be amazed by how creative kids can be. Their imaginations know no bounds, so it’s an adventure in and of itself to watch them create.

Getting to watch that creativity in action is precious and priceless. What more could you want from a backyard adventure?